Radio frequency identification (RFID) in communication connections, including fiber optic components
First Claim
1. A fiber optic component, comprising:
- a housing supporting at least one fiber optic component to establish an optical connection, the housing comprises an inner housing and further comprises an outer housing defining an activation switch recess and placed over at least a portion of the inner housing;
at least one recessed area disposed within the housing defining a geometry;
an electrical circuit disposed in the at least one recessed area such that the geometry of the housing is maintained; and
an activation switch disposed in the electrical circuit and coupled to a RFID transponder,wherein the electrical circuit includes the RFID transponder configured to communicate data concerning the at least one fiber optic component to a RFID reader,the RFID transponder is configured to be activated to allow communication of the data concerning the at least one fiber optic component in response to activation of the activation switch, andthe activation switch recess is aligned with the activation switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Radio frequency identification (RFID)-equipped communication components are disclosed. The communication components can include fiber optic components, such as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic adapters as examples. An RFID-equipped circuit is provided in the communication components to communicate information. In order that the electrical circuit be provided in the communication component without altering the communication component connection type, the circuit may be disposed in at least one recessed area of the communication component housing. In this manner, the communication component maintains its connection type such that it is compatible with a complementary communication component connection type for backwards compatibility while also being RFID-equipped. The circuit may also be provided in a substrate containing one or more electrical contacts coupled to the circuit such that a wired coupling is established with one or more electrical contacts provided in another communication component when connected.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A fiber optic component, comprising:
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a housing supporting at least one fiber optic component to establish an optical connection, the housing comprises an inner housing and further comprises an outer housing defining an activation switch recess and placed over at least a portion of the inner housing; at least one recessed area disposed within the housing defining a geometry; an electrical circuit disposed in the at least one recessed area such that the geometry of the housing is maintained; and an activation switch disposed in the electrical circuit and coupled to a RFID transponder, wherein the electrical circuit includes the RFID transponder configured to communicate data concerning the at least one fiber optic component to a RFID reader, the RFID transponder is configured to be activated to allow communication of the data concerning the at least one fiber optic component in response to activation of the activation switch, and the activation switch recess is aligned with the activation switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A fiber optic component, comprising:
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a housing structure supporting at least one fiber optic component to establish an optical connection comprising an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing; an outer housing platform defined by the outer housing within an outer housing cavity of the outer housing; an inner housing platform defined by the inner housing; and an electrical circuit disposed between the outer housing platform and the inner housing platform. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for identifying a connection of at least two fiber optic components, comprising:
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a fiber optic connector, comprising; a connector housing supporting at least one ferrule; at least one recessed area disposed within the connector housing defining a geometry; and a first electrical circuit disposed in the at least one recessed area such that the geometry of the connector housing is maintained; and a fiber optic adapter, comprising; an adapter housing structure comprising an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing providing at least one ferrule support configured to receive the at least one ferrule; an outer housing platform defined by the outer housing; an inner housing platform defined by the inner housing; and a second electrical circuit disposed between the outer housing platform and the inner housing platform; wherein the first electrical circuit is coupled to the second electrical circuit when the fiber optic connector is connected to the fiber optic adapter. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification